Good Enough

Ready:

"Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, 'Why couldn't we drive it out?'

'Because of your little faith,' He told them. 'For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. . .'"

-Matthew 17:19-20

Set:

I was flipping through the channels on my TV the other day and came across a softball game that was in the top of the final inning. The visiting team was down 3-4 with runners on 1st and 2nd and a full count to the batter. The pitch. . . The batter hit a line drive past the shortstop, and then as the left fielder charged the ball to make the throw to home, she picked up her glove too soon and the ball rolled underneath allowing both base runners to score. That put the visiting team up 5-4--a score by which they would win. After the game, the announcers were talking about the winning pitcher, saying, "She didn't pitch great, but she pitched good enough."

As athletes we train hard, in and out of season, to be the best. But the fact of the matter is, there are going to be many times where we're not the best. Sure we're going to have the times when we feel great and everything seems to go our way, but we're also going to have those times when our legs are a little tight, our arms are a little sore, things just won't roll the right way, or our minds aren't in the game. It's at these times when we can't rely on being the best to win, but maybe we'll have just enough to get the victory.

In our faith life we're going to have those times where we're on: our hearts are on fire for God, we find joy in pretty much everything we do, and we feel like God is as close as ever. BUT, with the good times also come the hard times. "God, where are You? God, why? God, when will this be over?" These are questions I've often asked during the difficult stages of my life. It's at these times when we rely on our faith, even though it may not seem like we have much of anything left. Jesus offers us some encouraging words, though. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." No matter how small you think your faith may be, God can still work wonders through it. Trust that. Have faith in that as you go about your day.

Go:

1. Think of a time where you or your team were just good enough to win. How did you feel after the competition? Were you disappointed or happy with the victory?

2. How is your faith when things in life don't seem to be going your way? Do you give up on God or trust what He can do with even the smallest amount of faith?

Workout:

Matthew 8:5-13

Matthew 17:14-23

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Hebrews 11:6

Good Enough

Bible Chapter: 2 Corinthians 12 [6], Hebrews 11 [7], Matthew 17 [8], Matthew 8 [9]

Keywords: Lukewarm [10], Passion [11], Pursuit [12]

Ministry: Sport [13]

Sport: Softball [14]